A large two-colour gold and enamel snuff box, Esaias Fernau, Hanau, circa 1780

A large two-colour gold and enamel snuff box, Esaias Fernau, Hanau, circa 1780

of oval form, the lid applied with an oval enamel plaque painted with the family of Darius in front of Alexander the Great, within a chased gold laurel frame, the ground painted with branches in imitation of dendritic agate on an opalescent pink ground within a lavender blue band, the border with chased rosettes and ribbon-bound husks, the sides and base similarly decorated, French prestige marks including maker's mark EC crowned, charge of J.J. Prévost and date letter R, the rim with Hanau 18ct bird head control mark, in later leather case

8.5cm, 3⅜in. wide